Why Should Only CAs Sign Tax Forms? ICSI’s Bold Push Could Change the Game
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Right now, only Chartered Accountants (CAs) can represent taxpayers before income tax authorities and certify key tax documents. This is because Section 288 of the Income Tax Act defines an “Accountant” exclusively as a CA.
But the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) wants to change this. They’ve officially urged the government to amend the upcoming Draft Income Tax Bill, 2025, to include Company Secretaries (CS) in that definition.
ICSI’s argument is that CS professionals are already recognized under major laws like the Companies Act and the GST framework. They are well-versed in law, compliance, and taxation, making them fully qualified to handle tax matters. Expanding the definition, they argue, would give taxpayers more choice, ease compliance burdens, and modernize India’s approach to tax administration.
Unsurprisingly, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) opposes this move. They believe that the specific training CAs receive is essential for complex tasks like tax audits and financial representations. The ICAI warns that allowing others to certify these documents could dilute professional standards and blur the lines between professions. They maintain that CS professionals should stick to their core legal and governance functions.
This debate is more than just a professional turf war. It’s part of a larger conversation about modernizing India’s tax system and addressing the increasing scale of compliance. The government has yet to take a side, but this debate is heating up.
